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Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 07:35 IST
Lagaan, released in 2001, was Aamir Khan’s inaugural production venture.
Released in 2001, Lagaan is a renowned Indian epic sports drama directed by Ashutosh Gowariker.
At the time of its release, Lagaan was recognized as one of the priciest Indian films ever made. This project marked Aamir Khan’s first foray into production, and the filming took place over several months in the remote region of Bhuj. Given the isolated location, the logistical demands were considerable, prompting Aamir and his team to create temporary accommodations and cater to the well-being of the cast and crew.
Actor Akhilendra Mishra, who portrayed Arjan in the film, recently recounted that the production team ensured a diverse assortment of food from various global cuisines, while enforcing strict guidelines on beverage consumption—requiring that everyone drink mineral water. He noted that not only was mineral water mandated for drinking purposes, but it was also used for washing hair. Mishra emphasized the attention to detail provided by the production team, stating that even foreign actors gravitated toward traditional Indian meals, despite the availability of a separate continental menu. “The production management was exceptionally good. The film wouldn’t have been a success without it. They had all kinds of food, any cuisine you want, any juice you want, you name it, you have it. Even the foreign artists were eating Indian food,” he shared in an interview with Friday Talkies.
He remarked, “The arrangements were so great, the standards were of international level. As soon as we woke up in the morning and stepped out of our buses, they would set up all kinds of breakfast. You eat as much as you want and drink as much as you want; nobody stopped you.”
Mishra contrasted this experience with other filming sets, where production teams often monitor resource usage closely. “On the sets of Lagaan, things were the opposite. Here, people were ensuring that nobody consumed local water. Everyone had to drink Bisleri water. They were very careful about people’s health. After all, it would halt the entire shoot. People were washing their hair using Bisleri there,” he noted.
The veteran actor also praised Aamir Khan’s humility, recalling how he engaged with everyone on set, regardless of his star status. “He would sit down on the floor with us, talk with us, and eat with us,” Mishra recalled, highlighting the camaraderie that defined the Lagaan production experience.
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